Credit: The Associated Press

Heavy smoke billows the air due to clashes between supporters of Egypt’s ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and security forces in Mediterranean city of Alexandria, Egypt, Friday, Jan. 3, 2014. (AP Photo/Heba Khamis)

CAIRO — The death toll from the latest clashes between Islamist protesters and security forces in Egypt has risen to 17, a security official said Saturday, less than two weeks ahead of a key referendum on an amended constitution.

Meanwhile, 13 of the country's most prominent human rights groups issued a report condemning the authorities' human rights violations and recent arrests of political activists.